In the Eucharist, the Church both receives the gift of Jesus Christ in His Body and Blood and gives grateful thanks to God for such a blessing. This thanksgiving is the only proper response, for through this gift of himself in the celebration of the Eucharist under the appearances of bread and wine Christ gives us the gift of eternal life.

Those who recieve are to be in a state of grace. Otherwise, they ought to recieve the Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation prior to reception of the Eucharist.

A priest, deacon or Eucharistic Minister (lay person) can distribute Holy Communion. The priest only can consecrate the bread and wine at Mass to become the Body and Blood of Christ. 

"Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. . . . Just as the living Father sent me and I have life because of the Father, so also the one who feeds on me will have life because of me."   Jn 6:53-57

For information about First Communion, please contact our Faith Formation Director, Heather Wygonik at 724.226.4900 or ccd@olmbs.org